Xingping.....is having a huge growth spurt

I have not been here for three months yet, but everyday I see signs of progress. When I came here I said that in maybe 10 years it will be as busy as Yangshuo. I'll revise that to five years. Thankgoodness the beautiful natural scenery cannot be changed, but as some recent guests said to me....that river ( Li River) is so busy & has no natural life. Its dead. Cormerant fishing used to be a local industry. Not any more. There are no fish to catch so they R now used as a tourist attraction.

Xingping is forever imortalised in the Chinese 20yuan note. The scenery is certainly spectacular & for now Xingping can be regarded as a quiet town after the tourist busses leave. Some mornings, especially during summer the busses begin arriving at daybreak to bring tourist groups (usually young Chinese) to take their raft ride. Like sheep they follow the leader from their bus to the river & back. But for the independant traveller who wants to enjoy the quiet slow pace there is much to offer. There R walking trails & good restaurants to hang out in.There is a frequent bus service from Yangshuo & good accomadation for those who wish to stop over.

I have opened an Oil Painting Gallery specialzing in paintings of the local scenery. No-one else sells them, for now :) I have an artist who paints them just for me.

Life here is so much fun. I have the very best neighbours, both young & old who are so kind & helpful. I am never going to move again. There is also a South Korean man who has been here for three years. He also has no intentions of leaving. He has a small restaurant & a clothing & accessory shop.